“Christian is going to start the game for us on Sunday,” said Frazier. “Christian gives us the best chance to win,” he said, explaining the decision to start the third-year NFL quarterback over Josh Freeman.

Ponder started the first three game of the season, then sat out in Week 4 with a fractured rib. Matt Cassel led the Vikings to their first win of the season, beating the Pittsburgh Steelers in London.

But then the Vikings signed Freeman and started him in their Monday night loss to the New York Giants on Oct. 21.

Freeman, 25, suffered a concussion in that game and was inactive for last week’s loss to the Green Bay Packers. He has been cleared to play and practiced all week but was passed over for Ponder.